V2I

Their core work

V2I is a Belgian engineering SME specialising in advanced manufacturing processes and digital production systems, primarily for large-scale and one-of-a-kind components. Their core work spans the joining of dissimilar materials — combining thermoplastics, composites, and metals through laser processing, hot-forming, and ultrasound-assisted techniques — alongside the development of closed-loop digital pipelines that connect design, production, and quality control. In recent projects they have shifted toward software-side manufacturing intelligence: building worker-centric tools, ensuring interoperability between production systems, and enabling zero-defect outcomes for complex, low-volume parts. In practice, they serve as a specialist technical contributor inside large R&D consortia working on next-generation manufacturing for sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and precision engineering.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

V2I's H2020 trajectory shows a deliberate move from physical process expertise toward digital manufacturing intelligence. In their first project (LAY2FORM, starting 2017), the focus was entirely on material-level challenges: how to join metals with composites, which forming and processing techniques to apply, and how to automate those decisions. By the time PENELOPE began in 2020, the emphasis had shifted to the digital layer — pipelines, interoperability, product-centric data models, and worker-facing tools — while the underlying context remained complex, large-scale manufacturing. The trend suggests V2I is positioning itself at the intersection of advanced process knowledge and Industry 4.0 digitisation, moving from "how to shape materials" toward "how to orchestrate the entire production system digitally."

V2I is moving steadily toward digital manufacturing intelligence — organisations considering future collaboration should expect expertise at the boundary of physical process knowledge and Industry 4.0 software, particularly for complex, low-volume production environments.

How they like to work

V2I participates exclusively as a consortium partner — they have never led an H2020 project as coordinator — which indicates they function best as a focused technical contributor rather than a project manager. Despite holding only two projects, they have engaged with 52 unique partners across 10 countries, pointing to membership in large, multi-partner consortia rather than tight bilateral arrangements. Working with them likely means accessing deep specialist input on manufacturing processes or digital pipeline architecture within a broader team, not a turnkey project management relationship.

V2I has built a surprisingly broad network for a two-project SME: 52 unique consortium partners spanning 10 countries, consistent with participation in large Horizon 2020 Innovation Actions and Research and Innovation Actions that typically involve 15-25 partners each. Their geographic footprint is European, with a Belgian home base.

What sets them apart

V2I occupies an unusual niche as a small Belgian company that bridges deep physical manufacturing expertise — specifically multi-material joining of composites and metals — with digital production systems and closed-loop pipeline engineering. Most SMEs in manufacturing R&D tend to specialise on one side of that boundary; V2I has evidence in both, which makes them a rare fit for consortia tackling Industry 4.0 transformation in sectors that work with complex, large-format structures (aerospace components, wind turbine parts, automotive structures). Their relatively small size and specialist profile suggests they bring focused, high-quality technical contribution rather than broad programme management capacity.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LAY2FORM
  The largest single funding award for V2I (€408,900) and their foundational project, covering a technically demanding combination of laser processing, ultrasound-assisted forming, and cognitive automation for multi-material aerospace-grade components.
• PENELOPE
  Represents V2I's strategic pivot toward digital manufacturing, targeting closed-loop pipelines and zero-defect production for large-scale, one-of-a-kind parts — a direction highly relevant to aerospace, energy, and heavy industry.